AUTUMN 113 



wisps. Well, there are no will-o'-the-wisps, 

 except in scientific books. Shakspere tells 

 us that " uneasy lies the head that wears a 

 crown." Look at the crowned heads of 

 Europe. Are they not a sleek, self-satis- 

 fied, well-fed, well-slept company of orna- 

 ments ? Science, philosophy, and art need 

 purgation by common-sense. The best 

 have the most of this uncommon quality. 

 People who describe great men they have 

 seen always exhibit a dumb surprise that 

 they look and act so like other folks. 

 Greatness never consists in holding your- 

 self above the mass, though you may need 

 to stand at one side of it. You will not be 

 seen at all unless you are content to stay 

 at the human level. The great are great 

 in common things. It is the clear, patent 

 truth in Shakspere that is admirable. 



Speaking of Shakspere does not remind 

 me of our turtle. I just remembered him 

 as one of our autumn enlivenments. He 

 is the third we have owned, and was im- 

 ported from New Jersey. I don't know 

 what he finds to eat, but he is healthy and 

 happy, though in these chilly mornings he 



